GRAND RAPIDS -- A bloodstone marble monument won't heal the lingering wounds of veterans from Viet Nam and other wars, but it helps ease their scars.

On Saturday, 120 veterans and family members celebrated in Veterans Memorial Park the unveiling of the Purple Heart monument, dedicated to wounded soldiers in all U.S. wars.

The new stonework didn't get there without a fight, though. Don Kramer, commander of Lamoreaux Chapter No. 91 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, marshaled his forces to sway public opinion in favor of the new monument, over the objections of the city's Arts Advisory Council.

"This is the first monument going in this park in 33 years," Kramer told the crowd about the block-sized space tucked between Fulton Street and the Grand Rapids Public Library. "It represents 20 million vets who died or were wounded in all of our wars."

He lauded the contractors who provided 12 yards of concrete, the heavy lifting to install the $11,000 monument, and the design by Grand Rapids Monument.

The site is wheelchair accessible, a feature that took more concrete but will serve the aging generations of veterans who will visit it.

At the back of the crowd, 59-year-old Jack Russell watched the festivities, wearing his Viet Nam veteran jacket and hat.

Last year, the Cutlerville vet had his first reunion in 38 years with fellow Marines who fought with Col. Bill Dabney on Hill 881S. The battle scene is recreated at the new National Museum of Marine Science in Quantico, Va.

"I think it will make them feel a little better," Russell said, nodding toward the stone monument.

T-shirts, pins, and other memorabilia were sold at the event. Proceeds from the pin sales will help place a smaller version of the Purple Heart monument at the Grand Rapids Veterans Home, Kramer said.

The Purple Heart was first awarded by Gen. George Washington to three Revolutionary War soldiers on Aug. 7, 1782. Washington's profile is carved into the new monument, along with a poem dedicating it to those wounded in war.

Al Matkovich, 62, of Wyoming, is a past commander of Chapter 91. He helped push the wheelchair of World War II veteran Roger Kloote close enough for Kloote to touch the polished stone surface.

"All the other monuments here are kind of dark and gray," Matkovich said. "Ours is red because of the blood that was shed."